The Battleship TEXAS Celebrates 100th Commissioning Anniversary

LA PORTE — The Battleship Texas Foundation, working in partnership with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, will celebrate the 100th anniversary of the commissioning of the Battleship TEXAS with two events next month.

Both events will honor the Battleship TEXAS, her legendary history and pay tribute to the surviving crew members who proudly served on the ship during World War II. Commissioned on March 12, 1914, the TEXAS served in both world wars and is the last remaining “dreadnought”, or big-gun battleship. She is a beloved icon which was part of many firsts including the first U.S. battleship to launch an airplane and to house anti-aircraft guns. She was awarded five battle stars during WWII.

On Wednesday, March 12, a private Centennial Ceremony honoring the returning WWII crew members will be held at 10:30 a.m. on the decks of the TEXAS, followed by a reunion luncheon. Commemorating the actual 100th anniversary of the ship’s commissioning on March 12, 1914, the ceremony will recognize the crew members with a special tribute and medal presentation, military fanfare and a keynote speaker.

The festivities will continue on Saturday, March 15 with a public, family-friendly festival featuring Robert Earl Keen’s “A Texas Uprising” at the San Jacinto Battleground State Historic Site adjacent to the ship.

Saturday’s Centennial Celebration will also feature:

Tours of the TEXAS from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Headliner musical entertainment

12:30 – 2 p.m. Kelly Willis & Bruce Robison

3 – 4:30 p.m. Charlie Robison

5:30 – 7 p.m. Reckless Kelly

8 – 9:30 p.m. Robert Earl Keen

A ceremony honoring TEXAS crewmembers at approximately 2 p.m.

Dedication of donated house to U.S. veteran by the Texas Sentinels Organization

TPWD interactive booths for all ages

WWII vintage aircraft flyovers

Historical zones highlighting WWI and WWII including military artifacts

Battleship TEXAS Walk of History

Local restaurants and gourmet food trucks

Fireworks display at closing

“The Battleship TEXAS is an enduring symbol of strength and we want to celebrate her service and honor the men who served and risked their lives for our freedom,” says Bruce Bramlett, executive director of the Battleship Texas Foundation. “Throwing the TEXAS a 100th commissioning celebration is the least we can do and we know it will be an incredible and memorable day for former crew members, our local community and for our state. The community has been very supportive of the celebrations and we have received generous sponsorships from multiple corporations including HEB, Exxon, Centerpoint, Patriot Bank, Vopak and many local municipalities.”

The Centennial Celebration will take place regardless of weather conditions. Pre-sale tickets are available now for $14 at www.battleshiptexas.org through the day of the festival or $20 at the gate. Children 12 and younger are free. Discounted prices are available for veterans, $8 pre-sale and $15 at the gate. VIP ship event tickets are also available for purchase. All proceeds raised from the Centennial Celebration will go toward preserving the ship for future generations.

About the Battleship Texas Foundation

The Battleship Texas Foundation (BTF) formerly the Battleship Texas Commission, founded in 1948, was established in 1998 with the mission to work in partnership with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) to preserve and enhance the Battleship TEXAS, and to help develop the historic ship into a premier hands-on museum and world class visitor attraction. For more information please visit, www.battleshiptexas.org.

About Texas Parks and Wildlife Department

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department mission is to “manage and conserve the natural and cultural resources of Texas and to provide hunting, fishing and outdoor recreation opportunities for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.” The department operates 95 Texas state parks and historic sites, 51 wildlife management areas, three saltwater fish hatcheries and five freshwater hatcheries. TPWD game wardens and wildlife and fisheries biologists work in every Texas county, enforcing laws and encouraging management to conserve fish and wildlife. The agency has 11 internal divisions: Wildlife, Coastal Fisheries, Inland Fisheries, Law Enforcement, Legal, State Parks, Infrastructure, Communications, Administrative Resources, Human Resources and Information Technology. For more information, see the TPWD website www.tpwd.texas.gov.